November 24, 2001

   The Labour Minister Shri Sharad Yadav has said that the Government is commited to protect Workers’ interest while ensuring industrial development. Speaking at the 16^th Economic Development Conference here today, Shri Yadav said that the social partners will have to deal with seriousness adverse effects of globalisation. He said that a suitable mechanism should be developed for human resource development and skill upgradation on sustainable basis to narrow the increasing gap between highly skilled and semi-skilled or low skilled workers. Shri Yadav said that employer-employee relationship should be built up on mutual trust and cooperation. He said that specific areas have to be identified where the representatives of employers and workers can jointly draw strategies to improve competitiveness of Indian industries. Shri Yadav said that the challenges of competitiveness, improved quality and cost effective technologies in the era of globalisation have to be faced with right policies. There is need for improving the work culture of all stake-holders. He said that employment generation with adequate social protection is a priority area of the government while addressing issues of globalisation Shri Yadav stressed upon the need to maintain social cohesion while the industry gears itself for global competition. Shri Yadav give away Appreciation Certificates to Udyog Patra Awardees for successfully competing in the domestic and international markets.

    The conference was organised by the Institute of Trade and Industrial Development to discuss the impact of globalisation and the revival of Indian industry in its backdrop.